MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A stretch of State Road 710 some officials call a “death trap” is back in the spotlight, as Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek pushes for faster action to improve safety.

Budensiek addressed county commissioners Tuesday, highlighting ongoing concerns about deadly crashes along the corridor that runs through Indiantown and western Martin County.

“We have a consistent pattern of death on this road, and we need to fix it,” Budensiek said.

According to data presented during the meeting, State Road 710 has seen dozens of fatalities over the past decade, with a consistent number of deadly crashes each year.

Officials say the road’s design is a major factor, with narrow lanes, limited shoulders and heavy truck traffic creating dangerous conditions, especially when drivers attempt to pass slower vehicles.

The Florida Department of Transportation has plans to widen the road, but construction is not expected to begin until 2030.

Budensiek said that timeline is too far away.

“If they can do the project faster, they will,” he said, noting state leaders have pledged support to move the project along.

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In the meantime, local leaders are calling for short-term solutions to improve safety now.

During the meeting, commissioners raised concerns about what can be done immediately, including additional signage, speed changes and other safety measures while waiting for construction to begin.

Budensiek said even with enforcement efforts, including thousands of traffic citations issued along the road, the underlying problem remains.

“This is not just a crash here or there,” he said. “We have a consistent pattern of death on this road.”

He plans to continue pushing for progress, with additional meetings scheduled with local leaders and the Florida Department of Transportation in the coming weeks.

Officials say without changes, crashes are likely to continue — even after construction begins — because the project itself could take several years to complete.